Buffalo Trace Distillery announced this week it has filled its nine millionth barrel of whiskey since Prohibition. The new million-barrel milestone comes in the shortest interval yet, thanks to the decade-long, $1.2 billion production expansion project that was finished earlier this year.
“The filling of our nine millionth barrel represents a historic chapter in the distillery’s story, which began more than two centuries ago and is still being written today,” said Harlen Wheatley, Buffalo Trace Distillery Master Distiller. “This milestone is exciting not just because we are producing more whiskey than ever before, but because every barrel filled ensures that generations to come will be able to enjoy the same quality and craftsmanship that has defined the distillery since the 1850’s.”
As is the tradition the new barrel will age at the Frankfort, Kentucky distillery inside Warehouse V, “the world’s only single barrel warehouse.” Visitors can see the celebrated barrel during tours.
Bourbon distilling at the site now known as Buffalo Trace Distillery dates back to the 1770s, with formal operations beginning in the 1850s. During Prohibition, the George T. Stagg Distillery (as it was then known) remained one of the few allowed to produce whiskey for medicinal purposes, but official barrel counting a began in 1933.
Since then, the Distillery has celebrated multiple millionth barrel milestones in these years:
— 1942
— 1953
— 1961
— 1971
— 1981
— 2008
— 2018
— 2022
— 2025
Source: Buffalo Trace
"Since official barrel counting began in 1933, each millionth barrel milestone has marked more than just a number: they stand as symbols of heritage, resilience and the timeless pursuit of excellence in bourbon. The distillery’s resilience was proven once again during the historic flood this past April which touched 90% of the campus. I'm proud of the team for their hard work to ensure Buffalo Trace recovered quickly - after just a few short months we’re 100% back open, operational and welcoming visitors.”
About Buffalo Trace Distillery
Buffalo Trace Distillery is an American family-owned company based in Frankfort, Kentucky. The Distillery's rich tradition dates back to 1775 and includes such legends as E.H. Taylor, Jr., George T. Stagg, Albert B. Blanton, Orville Schupp, and Elmer T. Lee. Buffalo Trace Distillery is a fully operational Distillery producing bourbon, rye and vodka on site and is a National Historic Landmark as well as listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Distillery has won 40 distillery titles since 2000 from such notable publications as Whisky Magazine, Whisky Advocate Magazine and Wine Enthusiast Magazine. Its George T. Stagg was named World Whiskey of the Year for 2022 and its Thomas H. Handy Sazerac Rye was named 2nd Finest Whiskey in the World for 2022. Buffalo Trace Distillery has also garnered more than 1,000 awards for its wide range of premium whiskies. Buffalo Trace Distillery also has a deep commitment to supporting charitable initiatives. Nonprofit organizations interested in learning more about the Distillery’s efforts are encouraged to register their charity here. To learn more about Buffalo Trace Distillery, visit www.buffalotracedistillery.com. (From the distillery).
